How to Give Your Ceiling Fan a New Look

Your ceiling fan keeps you cool and helps keep your energy bills down. But it may have outlived its purpose in terms of style. Updating it can be simple and affordable.

You can upgrade the look of your ceiling fan with a new light kit, switch plate or even hardware. Choose a finish that coordinates with your room’s decor or that adds contrast for visual interest. Or, consider a decorative ceiling medallion to add an elegant accent to your fan.

If your fan is out of balance, a balancing kit can help. This easy-to-use kit consists of small weights that attach to each end of the fan blade and balance it out so it runs smoothly without making noise or wobbling.

You might not think your ceiling fan is worth a makeover, but you’d be surprised. Replacing the blades, housing or light fixture is a fairly easy DIY project that can completely change your fan’s appearance. You’ll want to turn off power to the fixture before removing the old parts and installing the new ones.

Another way to give your fan a new look is to paint the blades. Choose a paint that is compatible with the type of material your fan is made from, and apply two to three coats. When the paint is dry, reassemble the blades and enjoy your new-look ceiling fan. If you’re painting metal parts, sand the surface with 320- or 440-grit emery paper before applying the paint and clean thoroughly before and after sanding.